Class act for Mitchelstown Golf Club
Last week saw Mitchelstown Golf Club host the annual fund-raising 2-day classic on Thursday and Friday. Although we saw some rain on the first day, Friday saw favourable weather conditions and the course was in superb condition. There was smooth organisation, happy golfers and great food. It is extremely gratifying to hear the positive and favourable comments from participating golfers, both members and visitors, as they came off the course and later as they left the clubhouse.
The success of the event was due in no small part to the efforts of the organising committee, helpers (from both the men’s and ladies clubs), the greenkeepers/ groundstaff, Dolores from admin and Jennifer from catering. Thank you to those who sold raffle tickets and those who sought out sponsorship. It was a fitting occasion on which to remember the late Jimmy Walsh and Barry O’Keeffe, both of whom contributed so much to the club in former years.
A huge thank you must be extended to our numerous generous sponsors and to those of our members who organised teams for the event. Our main sponsor this year was McCarthy Insurance Group who wished for the occasion to be associated with the memory of Barry O’Keeffe who was a great friend of Charlie McCarthy and our President John Brooks. It was fitting that Barry’s widow Pauline, and Jimmy Walsh’s nephew, Billy attended on the occasion and took part in the presentation. Billy Walsh kindly sponsored the Jimmy Walsh Memorial Cup.
The support of local and national businesses is much appreciated by all associated with Mitchelstown Golf Club and we wish to continue to encourage our members to support our sponsors where possible, throughout the year.
CLUB CLASSIC RESULTS
1. Ger O'Keeffe 62 points. 2. Wayne Walsh 62 points.
3. Quinn Perry Construction 58 points. Best gross: Dennehy Builders 39 points. 4. Richard Mansfield 58 points. 5. The Lord Mayor's Team 57 points. 6. Kirby Group Engineering 56 points. 7. Rea Refrigeration 56 points. 8. Eamon McGrath 55 points. 9. Ed Fitzgerald 55 points. Mix team: Kieran Casey and Friends. 1 NonWHS: Hyland Financial. 2 Non-WHS: Neodyne Team
2. Nearest the Pin – Ladies Catherine Kavanagh. Nearest the Pin - Men: Paul Foley. Longest Drive - Ladies: Noelle Fleming. Longest Drive - Men: JJ Coffey.
KEVIN O’DONOVAN MEMORIAL CUP
Next weekend 19th, 20th and 21st May see our first Major of the year take place. Thank you to the O’Donovan family who kindly sponsor this event annually and best of luck to golfers in this event – our first Golfer of the Year competition.
FRIDAY FUN SCRAMBLE/PRIZE PRESENTATION
We are starting a weekly Friday evening 12-hole scramble this week on 19th May at 5.45pm (draw) – teeoff at 6pm. All welcome – this is very much a fun and social event, and all levels of golfers are invited. We would like to see Beginners, Juniors, Seanóirí, Beanóirí, Ladies club members and men’s club members join in and mix in – all are welcome to a club which is more important than a collection of members.
A presentation of prizes (men and women) for the period March – May 2023 will take place this week after the Friday evening Scramble at approx 8.30pm – please see previous BRS email for list of recipients.
MEN’S CLUB NEWS
Results - 13th and 14th May - 18 Holes Open Singles: 1st Adam Gubbins (6.8) 38pts (b9). 2nd Eamon Foley (19.9) 38pts (b9). Gross Oliver Walsh (4.3) 32gpts. 3rd Stephen McAuliffe (22.1) 38pts. Results Tuesday 12 hole competition 9th May: 1st Michael Murphy (22.9) 24pts. Best Lady - Breda Cotter 24pts. Wednesday Qualifier 10th May: David Ahern 36pts. Next Weekend 19th, 20th and 21st May - Kevin O’Donovan Memorial Cup and Open Singles.
LADIES NOTES
Following a very successful Club Classic on Thursday and Friday last, a big thank you goes to all the ladies who helped in the running of this event, and especially to those who helped to sell raffle tickets. We appreciate all the hard work that went into this.
Congratulations to those ladies who featured in the prizes at this event: Noelle Fleming - ladies longest drive; Catherine Kavanagh - nearest to the pin; Annette Crotty, Monica Hodgins, and Mary Rea of Rea Refrigeration - who were placed in the competition and Lisa Brenock who was on the winning mixed team.
A huge congratulations to our Challenge Cup team and their team manager Eithne Bermingham, who had a great win in West Waterford on Sunday last. Well done ladies.
The much-anticipated Friday Scramble begins on this Friday, May 19th at 6pm. We would encourage ladies of all abilities to join in this fun event which will be played over 12 holes.
It was with sadness that members of Mitchelstown Golf Club heard of the recent passing of Ingrid Whelton, who was lady captain at the club in 1993. Our condolences go to her family and friends.
INTERCLUB COMPETITION
First on the tee this past week was Stephen Slattery with his Junior Cup team who faced Williamston GC at home last Saturday and secured a 4-1 win. Our next round encounter is yet to be decided. Congratulations to Stephen and his team and best of luck going forward.
Next on the tee this past week was our Pierce Purcell team under the watchful eyes of Kieran Dennehy and Mike Lyons at 11am on Sunday, 14th May. A close encounter saw us lose to Williamstown GC. Our fourth pairing continued to do battle to the end but eventually succumbed on the 19th to see Mitchelstown narrowly defeated by the slimmest of margins, 3-2.
Next up on Sunday 14th were our Ladies Challenge Cup team managed by Eithne Bermingham who travelled to West Waterford GC for an away fixture. After another close encounter, a battling display from the Mitchelstown team secured a 3 ½ - 1 ½ win. The ladies extend a thank you to the West Waterford club for their welcome and a special thank you to their wonderful caddies.
Our next interclub fixture is on Sunday, 21st May when Mitchelstown GC Mixed foursomes team face Faithlegg GC at home at 1pm. Good luck to Michael English and his squad.
Seanie Buckley’s JB Carr team are away to Bandon GC on Tuesday 23rd at 1.45pm. Best of luck to Seanie and crew.
We thank all the players who turn out to play for and represent our golf club, and the team managers who give of their time and effort to coach the teams and organise the fixtures. We appreciate all the work that goes on behind the scenes. As ever, we encourage club members to turn out in club colours to show support and appreciation for the teams. Golf is not only a participant’s game – live golf is a most enjoyable spectator sport and a good walk enhanced.
SEANÓIRÍ
Results of South Munster Seniors Open held on Tuesday, May 9th. Winners as follows: Category A - Jack Darrer (Clonakilty G C) 37pts. 2nd John Hennessy 32pts. Category B - Jack O'Hurley (Adare Manor) 34pts. 2nd Tom Roe 33pts. Category C - Wm B Walsh 32 pts. Ciaran Dolan 32pts. On the table for next week are Mike Fogarty, Eamon McGrath and Richard Mansfield. Next JB Carr match v Bandon, in Bandon GC on Tuesday, May 23rd.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
May 19th, 20th and 21st Kevin O’Donovan Memorial Cup. June 3rd, 4th and 5th Laya Mini Classic (3-Ball
Better Ball). 23rd, 24th and 25th Murphy Cup. June 30th and July 1st, 2nd and 5th Play in Pink. July 7th, 8th and 9th 4-Ball to Bally B. 21st and 22nd Captain’s Prize. 28th, 29th and 30th David O’Sullivan Memorial Cup. August 12th Lady Captain’s. 25th and 26th President’s Prize. September 1st, 2nd and 3rd Scratch Cups. 16th and 17th Sean O’Brien Memorial Cup. 22nd, 23rd and 24th Mitchelstown Credit Union Mini Classic.
RAFFLE WINNERS
1. Michael English – Powerscourt GC 4-Ball 2. Kate Biggane – Irish Open tickets 3. Amber €100 voucher – Catherine Kavanagh.
JUNIOR GOLF
At Mitchelstown Golf Club we welcome all juniors from an early age interested in taking up the sport of golf. Our junior golfers are an integral part of our club and very important to the future of the club.
We are currently in a program to increase the number of juniors in our club. All new beginners to the game are very welcome to come and try out for a few weeks.
We meet for coaching and play on Saturday afternoons at 4pm until 5.30pm.
We endeavour to provide an enjoyable introduction and everlasting experience for our juniors so that a love
of the game of golf will carry on into adulthood.
As we enter the late spring, we will work to get handicaps for all our current members, host some competitions and fun events. If you are interested, please call Barry O'Brien at 086-8237636.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
We are always on the lookout for volunteers for our bar rota for Saturday and Sunday mornings. The shifts are not too onerous and are infrequent but a valuable (and valued) contribution to the running of our club. It is a post which offers some additional insight into the 'behind the scenes' running and functioning of the club and a super opportunity to meet more members and create a sense of belonging. If interested, please contact Dolores at the office on 025 24072.
INTERESTED IN TAKING UP GOLF?
We are now fully into our more active time of the golfing year and we are keen to hear from anyone interested in taking up the sport. We regard golf as a sport for all ages and all abilities. We pride ourselves as a friendly, warm, welcoming club with a superb 18-hole parkland course at our disposal. We look forward to hearing from anyone interested in taking up the sport whether joining for the first time or re-joining after a period of absence.